Receptacle for cotton rolls



NOV. 8, 1949 I c, J, D 2,487,107

RECEPTACLE FOR COTTON ROLLS Filed Feb. 11, 1947 Patented Nov. 1949 UNITED STATES'PATENT OFFlCE/ RECEPTACLE FOR COTTON ROLLS Charles J DAndrea, Chicago, Ill.

Application February 11, 1947, Serial No. 727,836

6 Claims.

My invention relates to a receptacle or container for cotton rolls such as used by dentists, physicians or surgeons, and other similar articles.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to simplify the construction of a receptacle such as contemplated herein and to improve the operation and efiiciency of such a receptacle.

Another principal object resides in the provision of a cotton roll receptacle that is adapted to protect the cotton roll in a covered sanitary manner when the device is not in use. Whenever the dentist or other person desires to use the cotton rolls the receptacle may be uncovered and by a simple operation the cotton rolls are elevated in the receptacle so that one or more may be readily removed.

Still another object is the provision of a receptacle for cotton rolls wherein there is a movable bottom member which supports the rolls in an upstanding position, said bottom member having means which coact with specially formed wall portions whereby a rotation of the bottom member in either direction is adapted to elevate or lower the rolls with their upper ends above the rim of the receptacle 'or alternatively lowerlthe rolls to position them below the plane of the receptacle rim.

The receptacle herein contemplated is preferably of a Siamese-type, that is, two side-by-side containers which are joined by an intermediate uniting web, thus providing a receptacle that accommodates at least two standard sizes of rolls. The receptacle is convenient to handle; it is sanitary and may be readily stowed in a carrying case or kit, and it is simple to operate. The construction and arrangement of. the parts of the receptacle are such that it is adapted to be economically manufactured from a suitable plastic material so that it may be sold for a reasonable retail price.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention contemplated herein will be apparent to persons skilled in the art after the same is understood from the within description. It is preferred to accomplish the numerous objects hereof and to practice the invention in the manner hereinafter fully described, and as more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Reference is now made to the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specification.

j and large, both having the same length, and it' In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a receptacle for cotton rolls embodying the present invention, a portion being broken away for clearness;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken along the plane of line 2-2 on Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section of one of the cups of the receptacle showing the details of the bottom elevating means; and

Fig. 4 is an exaggerated enlarged view in section taken on line 4-4 on Fig. 2.

The drawings are to be understood as being of a more or less schematic character for the purpose of disclosing a typical or preferred form of the invention contemplated herein, and in these drawings like reference characters identify the same parts in the different views.

The arrangement shown comprises two cylindrical side-by-side containers or cups A and B having upright cylindrical walls 5 which are joined by a vertical web C in a Siamese manner. These cups have open tops which are closed by removable covers 6, resting or seated on shouldered portions 1, shown at the left in Figs. 1 and 3. It is contemplated that the covers 6 shall snugly fit their seats so as to exclude dust and extraneous matter when closed. The cups have bottom walls 8 formed integral with cylindrical walls 5 and at junctions of these cylindrical and bottom walls there are ribs 9, the purpose of which will be later explained. The structure thus far described is of a character that well adapts itself to being molded from a suitable plastic material which will retain its form and dimensions when subject to sterilization.

As is well known the cotton rolls R used by dentists, physicians and surgeons and other professionals are usually of two sizes, to wit: small will therefore be apparent that the present structure is such that both sizes are readily accom-.

modated in the respective compartments or cups A and B.

The cotton rolls, as seen in Fig. 1, do not rest on the bottom walls 8 of the cups, but are supported at their lower ends on false bottoms which are defined by disc-like plates [0 each having a plurality of radial lugs l I projecting from margins and resting on ribs 9. These false bottom plates or discs are adapted for rotative movement which is imparted to them by upstanding spindles I 2, the upper ends of which project or protrude above the plane of the cup rims as well as top ends of the cotton rolls, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The central regions of covers 6 have hollow stubs l3 for receiving these protruding end portions of the spindles I 2, and these spindle ends may be knurled or suitably roughened as at I 4 to facilitate grasping them by the operators fingers for imparting the aforesaid rotative movement to the false bottoms ID as will be readily understood.

The means for raising or elevating false bottom l comprise coacting portions of the disc l0 and the ribs 9 which support said false bottoms.

In order to accomplish this arrangement thelugs II have semi-circular or convex lower surfaces Ila and the ribs have a plurality of ramp-like regions each comprising curved inclined sweeps l5 extending upward above the plane of therib- 9, which inclined sweeps meet each other at a concave recess or seat H5 which is preferably a counterpart of the convex under. portion of a lug.

II. This arrangement is such that whenever a false bottom H3 is rotated a proper distance in.

either direction, clockwise or counterclockwise, the lugs will engage an adjacent ramp and ride up the same until they drop into the concave seats l6 and thus maintain the false bottom in a plane above that of its normal position. Thus the tops of'the cotton rolls will be positioned above the lip of the cup where one or more may. be readily extracted. When it is desired to discontinue use of the-receptacle, the .false bottoms may be moved out of the seats by a slight raising movement and then rotated to return the lugs to their normal positions upon the ribs. In this latter position of a false bottom the cotton rolls have been lowered in the cups below the plane of the cup lips and the covers may be replaced to tightly close the containers.

- While the invention hasbeen described in its present preferred form or embodiment, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, after understanding the invention contemplated herein, that various changes and modifications-may be madetherein without departing from the spirit orv scope thereof. It is aimed in the appended claimsto cover all such changes and modifications.

I claim as my invention:

l.v A receptacle for dispensing dental .rolls and like articles, comprising a cup-like container; a

rotatable disc in the lower region of said con-- tainer, said disc be'ingalso adapted for upward movement and arranged to support a plurality of articles. on their ends; a plurality of ramps at the bottom of said container, each ramp have, ing oppositely inclined portions; a corresponding plurality of means on said disc adapted to be engaged with said ramps during rotation of said discin either direction; and manually operable means for imparting rotative movement to said disc, whereby the aforsaid upward movement of said disc is effected and the articles are positioned with their upper ends above the plane of. the container top for facilitating removal or the articles.

2. 'A receptacle for dispensing -dental rolls and towards each other; seats in the upper regions of. said ramps between the inclined surfaces; embossments at the marginal region of said disc, said embossments being adapted to ride up said ramps during rotative movement of said disc and enter-said seats to maintain said disc in a raised position with the upper ends of the articles protrudingfromthe container; and a spindle arising from. the central portion of said disc and extending above the top of the container, said spindle being adapted for manual operation to rotate said disc whereby the aforesaid upward movement of said disc is efi-ected.

4. The structure defined-in claim 3 wherein the disc embossments comprise lugs projecting radially. from the periphery of the disc.

5. A receptacle for dispensing dental rolls and like articles comprising a cylindrical container body havingranopen top; a disc adapted for rotative elevating movement in the lower region of :said container for supporting articles in upstanding positions; a spindle for rotating said disc; disc-supporting means at the lower region of said container, said. supporting means being particularly characterized by upwardly inclined portions and seat portionsv at the upper regions of said inclined portions; and members on said disc having cooperative association with said supporting meansand being. adapted upon rotation of said discby said spindle to move upward on said inclined portions and rest on said seat portions,whereby said disc is elevated to a position for ready .removal of the articles through the open top-of said container.

6. Awreceptacle as defined in claim 5, wherein the members comprise a plurality of circumferentially spaced lugs projecting radially outward from the peripheryof the disc and operative on the disc supporting means.

CHARLES J. DANDREA.

REFERENCES CITED "Ihe'follow'ing ,referencesare of record inthe file of patent:

UNITED STA'IES PATENTS 

